What Happens During Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transition period before menopause, usually starting in the late 30s or 40s. It can bring symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, fatigue, trouble sleeping, and irregular cycles. While these changes are often linked to hormone shifts, Traditional Chinese Medicine views perimenopause as a time when the body's natural balance begins to shift, affecting energy levels, digestion, emotions, and overall well-being.
Instead of treating perimenopause as a problem, TCM sees it as a natural stage of life that can be supported with food, movement, stress management, and natural remedies to make the transition smoother and more comfortable.
Why do we feel out of balance?
1. Energy reserves are running low
In TCM, our body's energy comes from a deep "reserve bank" that we build up in our younger years. As we age, this energy starts to decline naturally, leading to feeling more tired than usual, having difficulty bouncing back after stress, lower sex drive and changes in bone health
2. Emotional ups and downs
Stress, frustration, and emotional overwhelm are common in perimenopause. According to TCM, our energy needs to flow smoothly, but stress can block it, leading to mood swings, irritability, or feeling emotional for no reason, bloating, headaches, and feeling "stuck", sleep troubles and difficulty relaxing
3. Digestion and metabolism slow down
During perimenopause, many women notice weight gain, bloating, or feeling sluggish. This is because the body becomes less efficient at processing food and turning it into energy. Signs include feeling heavy or bloated after meals, cravings for sugar or carbs, Brain fog and afternoon energy crashes
How to feel more balanced during
perimenopause
1. Natural herbal support
TCM uses natural plant-based remedies to help with different symptoms:
For hot flashes & night Sweats: Cooling herbs to help the body regulate temperature naturally.
For sleep & anxiety: Herbs that calm the mind and help improve deep sleep.
For mood swings & irritability: Herbs that promote relaxation and emotional balance.
For energy & digestion: Herbs that gently boost energy without overstimulation.
2. Acupuncture for natural relief
Acupuncture is a simple and effective way to bring the body back into balance by cooling excess heat (reducing hot flashes and night sweats), relieving stress and tension (helping mood and sleep), and supporting digestion and metabolism
3. The best foods for a balanced body
What you eat can help make perimenopause easier? Try to include:
✅ For energy & vitality: Nuts, seeds, bone broth, whole grains
✅ For stress & mood balance: Dark leafy greens, beets, herbal teas
✅ For digestion & metabolism: Warm cooked foods, soups, ginger, fennel
🚫 Avoid: Too much sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, which can make symptoms worse.
4. Simple lifestyle shifts
✔ Gentle exercise: Yoga, walking, and stretching help energy flow.
✔ Stress reduction: Deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness help reduce mood swings.
✔ Prioritizing rest: Good sleep helps restore energy and emotional balance.
Embracing perimenopause as a natural transition
Instead of seeing perimenopause as something to "fix," it can be a time of self-care and renewal. By making small changes to your diet, lifestyle, and stress levels, you can move through this phase with more energy, better sleep, and a greater sense of well-being.
✨ Your body is changing, but it’s also guiding you. With the right support, this can be a time of strength, clarity, and balance. ✨
